State GOP drops money in local House race; Dem incumbent has edge

The Alabama Republican Party has sent a cash infusion to a Republican challenger in a majority-Black district that includes Montgomery, but the Democratic incumbent is pulling in his own cash.

The party gave Karla Maddox a total of $15,000 on Oct. 13 and Oct. 14. It was the largest contribution from the party to a nominee in a majority-Black district that week.

But Rep. Kelvin Lawrence, D-Hayneville, retains a fundraising advantage. According to the most recent campaign finance data with the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office, Lawrence has $84,208 to Maddox’s $21,093.

“If we get great turnout, we shouldn’t have any problem winning this race,” Lawrence said. “The key is getting people out to the polls.”

Attempts to get comment from Maddox on the race were unsuccessful. Maddox’s Facebook page describes her as “unapologetically conservative,” though a recent flyer from the campaign emphasized her support for issues that could appeal to Democratic voters, including ending the grocery tax and lowering prescription drug costs.

The state party is the largest single source of funding for Maddox’s campaign.

House District 69, which includes Wilcox, Lowndes, Montgomery and Autauga counties, has generally been solidly Democratic. The district is about 52% Black and 43% white. It is also economically polarized. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income in Wilcox County in 2020 was $35,063; in Lowndes it was $33,634. In Montgomery County, the median household income in 2020 was $50,385; Autauga County, it was $57,982.